The Turning Point: The American Ceasefire Initiative between Israel and Egypt, August 1970

The ceasefire of August 1970 proved the United States' ability to set the wheels of the peace process in motion. The USSR did not partner with it en route to the ceasefire, and, in fact, was against it. The ceasefire between Israel and Egypt may be viewed as a turning point in Egyptian-American relations. It was Nasser who had led the United States to intervene in the peace process, without the help of the Soviets, creating an opportunity for the return of US clout in Egypt, after it had reached an unprecedented low during and after the Six Day War. In fact, after the ceasefire the United States was slowly becoming a major axis in the pollical process. For Egypt, the United States was the only power that would help in returning the occupied lands